This bizarre maths decision means some Leaving Cert students missed out on their course

A tough one to take...

This year was the first year a revised grading exam grading system and CAO points scale were introduced.

The old A1s and D3s were abolished in favour of a newer points system.

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The number of grade bands were reduced from 14 to 8 to fairly reward scholastic achievement and to ease the pressure on students to achieve marginal gains in examinations.

Students at higher level were now marked from H1 to H8, with a H1 being the equivalent of the old A1. Students at ordinary level were marked from O1 down to O8.

Under the new marking scheme, the lowest passing grade was a H7 which awarded the recipient 37 points. A H7 is a grade of between 30%-39% as this grade equated to the level of an O3 at ordinary level which is a grade of between 70%-79%.

Under the new changes, according to the Irish Independent, a H7 grade is accepted in many third level courses which simply require a passing grade in maths.

However, for those students seeking to be primary teachers, a H7 grade in maths is not accepted, and a lot of students around the country were left disappointed this morning when the CAO offers went out.

A H7 grade in maths isn't being accepted to study primary school teaching but a O6 (a far weaker grade) is being accepted.

The Department of Education sets the requirements an applicant for primary teaching must have in order to receive a CAO offer.